You can go for the exercise and physical activity. You can go for the sweet treats. You can go to support kids, families and mental health.

Of course, there is also a fourth option - D. All of the above.

COBYS Family Services' Bike and Hike fundraiser is a great many things to a great many people.

"Bike and Hike is really a broad event," said Anne Stokes, who's been COBYS Family Services director of development and communications for six years. "It's not just one thing. There are several different ways for people to participate. However it makes sense for them. But what it's really all about is spending time together and celebrating all the services COBYS provides."

COBYS Family Services will present the 29th edition of its annual Bike and Hike event in Lititz from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7. The event will consist of a 10-mile and a 25-mile bike ride, a 3-mile walk, a 1.5-mile Tasty Tour and a festivities-concluding ice cream social - because everyone always has room for ice cream.

"The best thing about the Bike and Hike is the way you get to have fun and at the same time do good things for your community," said Stokes. "You get to come as you are. What's really special is that everyone comes together after the event and learns how COBYS is making a difference in the community."

All the festivities included with Bike and Hike will originate from Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 W. Orange St., Lititz. The event will begin at noon with the 25-mile bicycle ride registration and start, followed by the check-in and start of the Tasty Tour of four downtown confectionary stops - Dosie Dough, Cafe Arabella, CAVOLO! and Slate Cafe - at 1 p.m.

Registration and the start of the 10-mile bicycle ride and the 3-mile walk will also begin at 1 p.m. Then, at 2:45 p.m. the Incredible Ice Cream Celebration will begin on the grass behind Lititz Church of the Brethren.

"The Bike and Hike is a very relaxed event," said Stokes. "The COBYS staff warmly greets you and checks you in. The Incredible Ice Cream Celebration is a time for all the participants to come together. We use that time to talk about all the great things going on at COBYS."

More than 300 individuals, family members and community members are expected to attend.

"It's really everybody, just like our community," said Stokes of the participants. "It's people of all ages, because that's what it takes to support the committed human care that we provide. It's people who have supported us for a long time. It's some of our foster families. It's a lot of donors and supporters. It might be people who have heard about us from a neighbor or a friend."

Organizers of the Bike and Hike fundraiser are hoping to realize $100,000 in proceeds for COBYS Family Services. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2.5 million for the organization, which provides foster, adoption and counseling services in Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Dauphin, Cumberland and Schuylkill Counties.

"The money will go toward our overall operating expenses," said Stokes. "The ultimate goal is to make sure COBYS has continued resources to support our work throughout the year. Without these financial resources, the COBYS organization wouldn't be able to provide the services it does day in and day out. Throughout the year, things pop up. When we need funds for things like fostering and counseling, the money is there."

COBYS, which operates offices at 444 Murry Hill Circle, Lancaster, and at 134 E. King St., Lancaster, was founded in 1996 and employs more than 90 staff members across all of its programs. COBYS Family Services conducts or benefits from five other annual fundraisers and also receives financial support through fees for services, a variety of grants, private donations and state and county resources.

"Our mission is to educate and empower children and adults to reach their full potential," said Stokes. "We care about our clients in their times of need. We can't always fix all the problems, but we know we can treat people with dignity, compassion and hope. There are critical needs in our community, and COBYS Family Services is an agency to meet those needs. If you value those things, we hope you'll join us at Bike and Hike to make that care happen."

For additional information, go to http://www.cobys.org.